Federal officials recover nearly $2 million worth of pot tossed from 2 boats off San Diego

SAN DIEGO — Federal officials say nearly $2 million worth of marijuana that was tossed into the ocean from two suspected smuggling boats has been recovered about 160 miles off the coast of San Diego.

Ralph DeSio, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, tells U-T San Diego that more than 130 bales of pot, weighing about 3,300 pounds, were pulled from the water on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, a boater reported seeing a three-engine panga-style boat loaded with bales and fuel barrels. A CBP air crew spotted the 40-foot panga in international waters and saw two passengers tossing bales overboard before fleeing toward Mexico.

Another loaded boat was later spotted near the same area by a CBP plane. Four passengers tossed bales in the water before fleeing.